Animal Species:Sculptured Frogfish, Halophryne queenslandiae (De Vis, 1882)
The Sculptured Frogfish can be recognised by its distinctive body shape and multi-lobed tentacles on the head and body. The pectoral fins are very large. There is a wide, slightly concave gap between the eyes.
Identification
The Sculptured Frogfish can be recognised by its distinctive body shape and multi-lobed tentacles on the head and body. The pectoral fins are very large. There is a wide, slightly concave gap between the eyes.
Eight species of frogfishes (family Batrachoididae) are recorded from Australian waters. The southern distribution limit of the Sculptured Frogfish is overlapped by the northern distribution limit of the Eastern Frogfish.
Size range
The species grows to 30 cm in length.
Distribution
The Sculptured Frogfish is an endemic species that occurs from northern Queensland, to northern New South Wales.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Distribution by collection data
Ozcam map of Sculptured Frogfish specimens in the Australian Museums.
Habitat
It is found on rocky reefs and sandy areas, at depths of 15 m or more.
Classification
- Species:
- queenslandiae
- Genus:
- Halophryne
- Family:
- Batrachoididae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Hutchins, J.B. 1976. A revision of the Australian frogfishes. Records of the Western Australian Museum. 4(1): 3-43, figs 1-17.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
- Paxton, J.R., D.F. Hoese, G.R. Allen & J.E. Hanley. 1989. Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol.7 Pisces Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Canberra: Australian Biological Resources Survey. Pp. i-xii, 1-665.
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Tags Sculptured Frogfish, Halophryne queenslandiae, multi-lobed tentacles, 10 cm - 30 cm, rocky reefs, sandy areas, marine,